Enrollment Information
- First semester enrollment is open.
Please do not withdraw your student from their current school until you have completed confirmation of enrollment.
Video: The Connections Academy Enrollment Process
Enrollment Process
Start Your Family’s Learning Journey
Get ready to enroll in online school at Minnesota Connections Academy, serving grades K–12. Typically, the enrollment process takes just a few weeks to complete. But spots fill up quickly, so make sure you start as soon as you can. Here's how to get started:
STEP 1
Understand Your Commitment
STEP 2
Check Eligibility
You must meet specific state and program requirements to attend Minnesota Connections Academy. Online student eligibility requirements in Minnesota are determined by the Minnesota Transition Charter Board, which is the authorizing body for Minnesota Connections Academy. Before enrolling your child in virtual school, review the following Minnesota online school eligibility requirements carefully to determine whether your student(s) is eligible to participate in grades K–12. Once your enrollment is confirmed, please immediately withdraw your student from their previous publicly-funded school. Students cannot be simultaneously enrolled in two public schools.
Note: Students who have been or are currently suspended or expelled from their local school or district may not be eligible to enroll.
STEP 3
Prepare Documents
Please have the following documents available when you are ready to begin the enrollment process.
Child's Proof of Age
Child's Proof of Age
Child's Proof of Age
A copy of at least one of the following documents must be provided for each child of your family in order to prove age eligibility:
- Official birth certificate
- Tribal Affiliation card
- U.S. Passport
- Adoption Record
- Court-issued documents
- Green Card
- Military ID, State ID, or Student Driver’s License
- Hospital Certificate
- Certificate of Live birth
To avoid long delays, provide a copy of ONE of the above official documents with your other enrollment documents. If you don’t have any of these documents in your possession, contact our enrollment team at 1-833-591-0251 to discuss acceptable alternatives.
Not Sure Where to Get That?
- For a copy of your child's birth certificate, check with your county health department. You may order a copy online through Minnesota’s Public Health Department.
- If your child was born in another state, please visit the CDC’s Where to Write for Vital Records webpage for more information. When using this tool, please remember to follow the CDC's Application Guidelines.
- Have questions about your U.S. passport? Visit the U.S. Department of State FAQs page.
As a reminder, the age eligibility is as follows:
- Kindergarten: Any student enrolling in kindergarten must be five (5) years old on or before September 1 in the school year in which they are enrolling.
- First Grade: Any student enrolling in first grade must be six (6) years old on or before September 1 in the school year for which they are enrolling.
- Maximum Age: Any general education student who turns twenty-one (21) years old on or before September 1 will not be eligible to enroll in Minnesota Connections Academy. Any special education student who turns twenty-two (22) years old on or before September 1 will not be eligibility to enroll.
Proof of Residence
Proof of Residence
Proof of Residence
You must reside in the state of Minnesota and provide acceptable proof of residency to be eligible for enrollment in Minnesota Connections Academy. There are many verifiable forms of documentation, which are detailed below. Items marked with an asterisk (*) must be dated within the last 60 days.
Not Sure What is Accepted as Proof?
- A residential utility bill (gas, electric, sewage, or water) in the resident's (parent or guardian) name*
- Mortgage statement*
- Current lease agreement (signed, showing terms of lease)
- Property tax statement from within the last year
- Driver's License or state issue ID
- Cable bill*
- Internet bill*
- Letter from Government Agency*
- Rent receipt*
- Banking statement*
- Voter registration card
- Trash bill*
- Payroll stub*
- Propane Oil delivery statement*
If you do not have any of these documents, please contact the enrollment team at 1-833-591-0251 to discuss acceptable alternatives.
Child’s Proof of Immunization
Child’s Proof of Immunization
Child’s Proof of Immunization
All Minnesota Connections Academy students must provide evidence of their immunizations on one of the following:
- State of Minnesota official student immunization form
- Immunization booklet with all doses signed/stamped
- Health care provider/Health Department printout
- Official school record signed/stamped
Not Sure What Immunizations Are Required?
For a complete listing of immunizations required by the Minnesota Department of Health, view the section on Immunizations Required for School Grades K–12 on the Minnesota Department of Health website.
Where Can I Get Immunizations for My Student?
Immunizations can be obtained from doctor’s offices, clinics, or hospitals. Pediatricians and family doctors or their nurses or medical assistants can give your student the shots he or she needs to meet the requirements for school enrollment. In addition, some large chain pharmacies offer immunizations for older children and adults.
What if I Need Assistance Paying for Vaccines?
If you need assistance paying for shots/vaccinations, you may be able to get free or reduced immunizations through this program:
- Vaccines for Children (VFC) program is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay. Children who are eligible for VFC vaccines are entitled to receive pediatric vaccines that are recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
Immunization Exemptions
Minnesota allows for medical contraindication and conscientious-objection exemptions; however, medical and laboratory exemptions forms must be signed by a physician. Please use the Minnesota Student Immunization/Exemption form if requesting an exemption.
This form must be signed by you and, if required, by a physician. According to Minnesota Statutes Section 135.14, for conscientious objection, a statement specifying the exempt vaccines must be notarized by a notary public.
- Conscientious Objection: For conscientious objection by the patient/parent/legal guardian to one or more of the vaccines, you must provide a notarized statement specifying the vaccine(s) and submit the signed exemption form.
- Medical Exemption: For a medical contraindication to required vaccine(s), including anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose or to vaccine component(s), the patient or parent/guardian must have a signed statement by a physician specifying the vaccine(s).
Prior Academic Records
Child’s Proof of Immunization
Prior Academic Records
Students across Minnesota in grades K-12 are eligible to enroll in Minnesota Connections Academy. Those who have previously attended public school, private school, or homeschool will be asked to submit academic records for placement.
- Report Card
For students applying for grades K–9: Please submit a copy of the report card from the most recent school year.
The following items should be included on the report card:
- Student Name
- Grade Level
- School Year (example: 2024–25)
- School Name
- Grading Scale (example: 90–100%=A)
- Unofficial Transcript
For students applying for grades 10-12: Submit an unofficial transcript with complete end-of-year grades from their previous school year as well as any academic documentation (like progress reports, class schedules, or semester report cards) issued for their current school year. More documentation could be requested for placement.
The following items should be included on the unofficial transcript:
- Student Name
- Grade Level
- School Year (example: 2024–25)
- School Name
- Grading Scale (example: 90–100%=A)
- Credits Earned
Not Sure How to Get Your Child’s Report Card or Transcript?
- Contact your student's previous school and request the document, providing them with the information outlined above, OR contact your school's district office with the request.
If after attempting these steps you still cannot obtain your student's report card or transcript, please contact the academic placement services team at 1-833-591-0251 to discuss acceptable alternatives.
Have Your Child(ren) Been Formerly Homeschooled?
- Prior Academic History Form
Other Documents for Special Circumstances
Proof of Residence
Other Documents for Special Circumstances
You may need to provide additional documentation if any of the following circumstances apply:
- Custody order: If your legal guardianship is determined by a court order, please submit a copy of the order.
STEP 4
Get Started and Create Account
Enroll to
BE A PART OF OUR ONLINE PUBLIC SCHOOL
Join the Connections Academy community and help your child go further in school and in their life ahead.
Give Us a Call
If you have any concerns or questions about how to enroll, our enrollment team is here to help.
Please call us at 1-833-591-0251.
Minnesota Connections Academy admits students and conducts all educational programs, activities, and employment practices without discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, creed, sexual orientation, disability, or any other legally protected classification.
Enrollment Support Hours:
Monday - Friday, 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. CT